Umamusume can get very confusing, especially if you don’t have the time or patience to read every single line of dialogue and story in the game. Trust me, I would know. But all of this eventually leads to slower progression and overall confusion. So in order to help you not be like me and enjoy the game way more, here is a list of useful tips to help you speed up your progression:
Pick your horse girl
At the start, choose one of the free characters you get early on. Don’t stress too much—your first few runs are all about learning, not min-maxing. Just pick the one you like the look of. As you progress deeper and get better understanding, you’ll have more options and a better understanding of Umamusume, so it’ll be easier to make a choice.
Build Your Friendships
If you’re new to Umamusume, one thing you’ll notice right away is that support cards keep showing up during training. That’s not just random flavor — every time you train with them, you’re building a bond. At first, it feels like nothing’s happening, but once that bond meter fills up, the real bonuses kick in. Suddenly, your stat gains are bigger, special events pop up more often, and you’ll even unlock those rainbow “spark” trainings that give you a serious boost.
The trick is simple: if you see multiple support cards stacked in one spot, pick that training. It’s better to build those friendships early instead of chasing small stat boosts here and there. Later on, those strong bonds will make your runs a lot smoother and give you the edge in tougher races.
Plan Your Rest Days
It’s tempting to just train non-stop in Umamusume, but if you push your character too hard, you’ll hit fatigue and your gains drop off fast. That’s where rest days come in. Skipping a workout to let your character recover might feel like a waste at first, but it’s actually one of the smartest moves you can make. A well-timed rest can reset your stamina, boost motivation, and keep your training sessions efficient instead of dragging.
The best way to handle it is to keep an eye on fatigue warnings. If your character looks tired or the game hints at low motivation, don’t gamble — take the rest. It’s better to lose one training day than risk an injury or poor gains that hurt your entire run. Over time, you’ll start to notice a rhythm: push hard when the cards are stacked, then rest when your Uma needs it. Simple, effective, and a lot less stressful.
Skills Training
Stats are important in Umamusume, but skills are what actually win races. You could have great speed, but without the right skill triggers, your horse might choke at the finish line. Skills give you those clutch boosts, like stamina recovery mid-race or speed bursts right before the goal and they often decide whether you place first or fall short.
The trick is to balance. Don’t dump all your points into random skills just because they look flashy. Focus on the ones that match your horse’s running style like long-distance horses need stamina recovery, sprinters benefit from speed boosts, and leaders do best with positioning skills. Over time, you’ll figure out which combinations work, but early on, stick with the basics: recovery and speed. They’re reliable and can carry you through most races without overthinking.
What attributes should I aim for when training?
When you’re starting out in Uma Musume, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the stats: Speed, Stamina, Power, Guts, and Wisdom. The key is balance, especially early on. Speed is important because it usually decides who crosses the finish line first, but don’t ignore Stamina. Without enough, your character will lose in longer races. And when you feel like, sprinkle a little of power. That’s pretty much it.
Get Friends
Take it easy, don’t get offended prematurely. I mean get friends in the game. Adding friends gives you access to their support cards during training, which can make a big difference in your progress.
Early on, don’t be shy about adding people you know or even accepting random friend requests. Every extra support card helps.
Plan Your Summons
I know it’s fun to summon all the time and if I could do it, I definitely would. But if you want to get your “money’s” worth, the best course of action is to save up all your summons for a designated banner and then go all in. Support cards, in particular, have a huge impact on your training runs, so investing in them pays off more than just chasing characters. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t summon at all, just pick your battles.
Conclusion
Starting out in Umamusume: Pretty Derby can feel overwhelming, but once you get the basics down like training smart, managing rest, building friendships, and prioritizing the right skills, it quickly becomes a lot of fun. Every race you enter and every bond you build makes your horse girls stronger, and you’ll start seeing the payoff in those exciting wins.
The key is patience. Don’t stress about perfect pulls or maxed stats right away. Focus on learning the systems, enjoy the characters, and gradually optimize your team. If you follow these tips, you’ll be setting yourself up for a smooth start and a lot of enjoyable gameplay.
FAQs
Is Umamusume beginner-friendly?
Yes, but expect a bit of a learning curve. The game throws a lot at you at first, with training, stats, inheritance, skills, but once you understand the basics, it becomes a lot more fun and rewarding.
What’s the best way to start in Uma Musume?
Focus on raising one or two characters at first instead of trying to max out everyone. Learn how training cycles work, and always pay attention to your horse’s condition. Don’t overtrain because rest matters just as much as practice.
Is Umamusume pay-to-win?
Not really. Spending can give you better support cards and faster progression, but smart play and good training cycles matter more in the long run. Free-to-play players can still compete just fine.
What’s the main goal in Uma Musume?
Your goal is to train your chosen horse girl to win races, perform in events, and eventually aim for big championships like the URA Finals. Along the way, you also unlock story content and bond with your characters.
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